NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Like their season, the victory that put the
New York Knicks in the playoffs for the 12th consecutive year
did not come easily. But this was one opportunity they were not
about to let get away.

After blowing a 16-point lead, the Knicks used a 9-0 run down
the stretch to hold off the Boston Celtics, 95-88, and clinch
the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Patrick Ewing responded with 27 points and 19 rebounds for the
Knicks, who rebounded from Sunday's loss at Indiana and
eliminated Charlotte from postseason contention. On Wednesday,
New York closes the regular season against Miami, its possible
first-round playoff opponent.

"We struggled (this season), but it feels good," Ewing said. "It
doesn't make a difference who we play. We're a threat to
anybody. This was a tough year. We didn't expect to be
fighting to make the playoffs. We made it and now we have a
clean slate and we can make some noise."

Determined not to have to wait until Wednesday to clinch their
playoff spot, the Knicks hit their first six shots and raced to
a 16-0 lead.

"We knew we couldn't get off to a lousy start," said New York
guard Allan Houston, who added 21 points. "We talked about it
last night and at the shootaround today."

But the Celtics did not go quietly, making the Knicks earn the
victory in the final minutes.

"We put ourselves in a chance to win and never stopped playing
from the beginning of the game," Boston coach Rick Pitino said.
"The effort's been good, but we just didn't make certain plays
down the stretch."

The Celtics ripped off a 10-0 run to tie the game at 81-81 and
force New York to call timeout with 5:08 remaining.

Following the break, Houston hit a 3-pointer to put the Knicks
ahead for good. Ewing made two baskets before Houston's jumper
gave New York a 90-81 cushion with 2:33 remaining.

"We had about eight games left and we realized it was make or
break," Houston said. "We had a sense of urgency and we had to
get in the playoffs."

The Knicks have won five of their last seven after falling to
.500 (21-21) following a loss at Philadelphia on April 19. New
York posted crucial wins over Eastern Conference leader Miami
and the 76ers in the last two weeks.

"It's a relief," New York swingman Latrell Sprewell added. "The
season starts all over. We're going to make the most of it. I
haven't played in a playoff game in a number of years. We're
definitely good enough to win."

Rookie Paul Pierce and Ron Mercer each scored 18 points for the
Celtics, who pulled within 25-22 at the end of the first
quarter. Boston was bidding for a season-high third straight
road win.

"That's a tough team," Mercer said. "Those guys never quit.
Their playoffs were on the line, they kept fighting. We tried
to keep fighting as well, but down the stretch they got it
done."

Sprewell added 13 points for the Knicks, who shot 49 percent
(36-of-73) from the field while holding Boston to 42 percent
(33-of-79). New York outrebounded the Celtics, 46-39.

Antoine Walker scored 11 points in his first appearance for the
Celtics after missing eight games with an ankle sprain.

"He's a little out of shape," Pitino said. "The things he
should have concentrated on were his passing and moving. The
shot part of it and the moves were probably not going to be
there."